HBA-KDB H.B. 2500 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2500
By: Marchant
Land & Resource Management
3/28/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

There is concern among some cities regarding the slow response time for
repairs of street lights owned and operated by a public utility.  Repairs
of street lights may be expedited if a municipality has the authority to
purchase and manage the maintenance of all street lights within the
municipality.  House Bill 2500 authorizes a municipality to exercise the
power of eminent domain to condemn a street light system located in the
municipality. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 2500 amends the Transportation Code to authorize a municipality
to exercise the power of eminent domain to condemn a street light system
located in the municipality, including the equipment necessary to operate
the street lights and all appurtenances to the street lights. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.